Louise Goes To NELA

Hi there Fellow Waltham Staffers,

On Sunday, October 17th, Dave and I headed to the Beautiful Holiday Inn in Breathtaking Boxborough for the New England Library Association Conference. Well, we were in good shape because Dave found us a lovely coffee place in Acton called Sweet Bites. I recommend this place with four stars. Excellent coffee, bagels and lovely cupcakes!

The first program that we attended was Job Interview Strategies with Bertha Chandler from the Cambridge Public Library, Karen Valley from Walker Memorial Library in Westbrook, Maine and Michael Somers from Bridgewater MA State College offering perspectives on what they look for in an interview.

Although neither Dave nor I are interviewing for positions at this time, we have both worked with Bertha and wanted to see her in action. Also, it is interesting to see the contrast between public and academic libraries.
Not to mention that we at the Waltham Public Library see so many people who are looking for jobs.

Interviewing Tips from Bertha:

Practice! Practice! Practice! Role Play! Practice!

Get a book, go to a web page, go over the questions and talk out loud to a mirror, to a friend.

Dress professionally-you want to show how you will represent this library. First impressions do matter.

Be prepared for more than one interviewer

Leave your cell phone in your car

Practice professional courtesy at all times--everyone will have something to say about you after you leave

Sell yourself

Focus on the 'value added' you can bring to the library where you are interviewing

Be prepared for behavioral questions

Tell us about a time when...Describe a situation when

If asked, focus on a shortcoming/weakness where you have shown improvement

If you have visited prior to the interview, looked at the web page, done some other homework, include this in your responses--and do this homework, it demonstrates your interest in the position

Don't be negative about an employer, colleague or situation

Waiting to hear? Send an email query--keep it positive!

Say: I remain very interested in this position, not, I have not yet heard from you.

Go to the library or the bookstore and read interview books; go to the web and search 'interviews' or 'library interviews' You will find a wealth of material to help you prepare for your next interview.

Interestingly, Karen Valley says that some candidates bring portfolios.

Michael Somers says that in academic libraries it can be acceptable to have a fourteen page resume!

Bertha and Karen said that one to two pages is the most that you want your resume to be.

Cover letters should not merely echo a job description. They should really explain your interest in the job.

This was interesting stuff and can be useful for us to be aware of simply because the job market is apparently flooded right now. Bertha often receives literally hundreds of applications for a library assistant job. Karen and Michael agreed that they get lots of applications for positions. Therefore, the successful candidate really needs to stand out.

Over and out on this one!